How to Make Friends in a New City in Your 20s
Moving somewhere new is exciting until the first quiet Saturday. The good news: adult friendships are built the same way everywhere, through repeated, low-pressure time together.
Pick activities that repeat
One-off events are fun, but friendships form when you see the same faces every week. Choose something that meets regularly, such as a run club, a book club or a games night, and commit to going four times before you decide whether it suits you.
- Run, walking and cycling clubs
- Book clubs and language exchanges
- Board game and quiz nights
- Volunteering and community groups
Make the first move small
Don't ask a near-stranger to dinner. Suggest something short and specific: a coffee after the session, a walk before the next meet-up, or a quick drink with the group. Small invitations are easy to say yes to.
Turn group friends into one-to-one friends
After a few weeks, invite one or two people to a plan of your own. A private plan with a clear time and place removes the awkwardness of organising over messages, and a shareable invite link means nobody has to chase replies.
Be the organiser
People remember whoever brings them together. Hosting a simple plan, like a Sunday walk and pub lunch, makes you the connection point in a new social circle faster than waiting to be invited.